Lutheran Family Services of Virginia

FALL 2014

Shaun takes a spin

in the sensory cone

Making sense of the world

with toys that clear the way for learning
A giant red cone, a weighted lap turtle, a yoga ball these are
not just toys, they are important keys to learning and behavior.
These brightly colored items are part of the sensory toolkit
that teachers at LFSVA Minnick Schools use to help their
students with sensory processing challenges.
For some children, especially those on the autism spectrum,
the input from one, two or even all of their five senses gets
tangled up, explains Mary Wilson, autism coordinator for
LFSVA. Neurologists liken it to a nervous system traffic
jam that makes it hard for the brain to interpret what is
going on and figure out the right response, she says. The
result can be an overwhelmed child who can have difficulty
with motor skills, communication, learning, or behavior.
Sensory equipment helps kids tamp down their anxiety,

Every day these

children do
something that
amazes me. From
small triumphs can
come great things.
Amy Lane,
LFSVA Wytheville
Minnick School Teacher

What makes figuring out

how to help children with
sensory processing issues
so challenging, she says, is
that every childs needs are
different, and some may not
be able to express what it is
they need. A lot of the time
it is trial and error, she
adds. We have to be very
creative.

For students in Amy Lanes class at the LFSVA Wytheville

Minnick School, sensory tools are incredibly important. Her
students, aged nine and older, often need a sensory experience
when they are overstimulated or stressed out.

says Wilson. When kids feel better, they can refocus and
be more successful in the classroom.

continued inside...

Making sense of the world... continued

Lane

uses

PECs

or

Picture

Exchange

Communication System cards so that her

students can point to or show her the card that
indicates what they need. For many students
deep pressurea hard back rub, hard high
fives, or time with a weighted vest or blankets
is calming. Lane says that her students love
large bean bags and the sensation of being
covered up. Squishy balls in different sizes
with lots of texture are also a favorite.
But a sensory tool can be as low-tech as a hair
brush.
Last year the only word 10-year-old Henry
could say was yes. Lane says, We felt that his
frustration with his school work and at mealtime
was hampering his ability to make progress.
Learning from his mother that Henry liked
the sensation of bring brushed on his arm,
Lane got a brush and set up a system of
communication with the PEC cards so he
could ask for the brush when he needed it.

Making a difference is easy

with workplace giving
Workplace giving campaigns are in full swing through the
Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC), the Combined Federal
Campaign (CFC), and the United Way. You can designate LFSVA in
all of these campaigns.
Use these numbers
to designate us: CVC
#3706; CFC #75391,
and for the United Way,
just enter Lutheran
Family Services of
VA on the form.
Another giving
opportunity is the
Thrivent Choice
program, which lets
eligible members direct
Choice Dollars from
Thrivent Financial for
Lutherans charitable
outreach funds to
selected charities.

LFS foster parents Casey and

Annie Gasway share their story
at militarynews.com.

For more info on workplace giving, planned giving or Thrivent Choice,

contact Ellen Bushman at ebushman@lfsva.org or call 757.722.4707,
ext. 1302. Be sure to ask if your employer matches donations!

The result was nothing short of astonishing,

says Lane. Henry calmed down to the point
that he was able to participate fully in the
class with almost no meltdowns.
And best of all, Henrys breakthrough has led
to increased use of language. We had no idea
he didnt like muffins for breakfast. One day
he just looked up at us and said, waffles,
.

says Lane. When he didnt like what we were

having for lunch he said clear as day peanut
butter sandwich.
This year Henry continues to make progress
because his sensory needs are being met, says
Lane. Every day these children do something
that amazes me, says Lane. From small
triumphs can come great things.

Would you like to help? If you would like to

designate your donation for these valuable

sensory items, please do so on the enclosed
remittance form. We give heartfelt thanks
for your gifts, which help us create lives of
abundance for the people we serve.

Cozy new homes in Bedford

Four new side-by-side cottages in Bedford will be home for a dozen
adults with disabilities in the LFSVA group home program. The open,
one-floor, specially modified spaces with backyards and patios
will make living and socializing easier and more enjoyable, says
Elizabeth Maghsoodi, LFSVA group home manager. One residents
favorite feature? An in-the-door ice dispenser. Now Marquita
doesnt have to ask anyone to get ice, says Maghsoodi. Such a
small thing really means independence and abundance for her.

Would you like to help? Please see the wish list on the back page.

PAES
Lab

New vocational lab is up and running.

Thanks to funding from the Richard and Carolyn T. Gwathmey
Memorial Trust and matching funds from LFSVA and the Wythe
County Public Schools, the new Practical Assessment Exploration
System (PAES) Lab at the Wythe County Technology Center is
ready for students. The Lab is a mini-work environment that helps
students learn basic career, vocational and life skills and is shared
by Wytheville Minnick and Wythe County students.

Putting the pieces together to help a little girl thrive

Meet Anna a giggly, loveable, running-around-all-the-time

During the first session, LeVan learned about something

ham, according to her adoring mother, Melinda LeVan.

that would change everything: the Medicaid Elderly and/

In many ways, Anna is a typical 6-year-old. She loves

Dora the Explorer, dressing up, and her newly acquired
skillswimming. She has a best friend and is in first grade
at the elementary school where her mother is the reading

or Disabled Consumer Directed (EDCD) waiver, which

makes needed services affordable. We didnt know about
the waiver. We thought because we had jobs we wouldnt
be eligible for any assistance, says LeVan.

specialist. Annas father, Kevin, an army veteran, works as a

Applying for the waiver isnt

federal sales manager for CommScope.

about the parents ability

But the future wasnt as bright last fall, before LeVan first
discovered Essential Pieces (EP), a free educational program
in Winchester sponsored by Lutheran Family Services of
Virginia for families with children who are diagnosed on the
autism spectrum.
After Annas diagnosis at age 2 1/2, the couple struggled to
find and pay for the broad range of services Anna needed.
Sometimes the simplest things were the most challenging,
like finding a dentist or hairstylist who would be patient
enough to work with their active daughter, says LeVan.

to pay, says Purtlebaugh.

Its about getting necessary
services to make their childs
life better.
The waiver came through,
and with it Anna is getting
the intensive services she
needs, including home-based
Behavioral Therapy Services
(BTS) provided by Lutheran
Family Services. BTS uses

With autism, families are in completely new territory,

the

says Cassie Phipps Purtlebaugh, the director of Community-

Behavioral Analysis to help

Based Services at LFSVA. Essential Pieces helps parents

children

better understand their options.

to increase their day-to-day

At Essential Pieces families can share resources and talk to

functional skills. It has been a

the many speakers who donate their time to the program.

godsend, says LeVan.

Programs are held weekly for eight weeks three to four times

I tell everyone about EP, says LeVan, because I dont want

a year. Topics range from the financial stress of having a child

anyone to go for years not knowing what is available as we did.

with special needs to working with the public school system,

setting up a trust for your child, or trying out the latest autism
iPhone app. There is also a social group for children on the
spectrum and their siblings held concurrently with EP sessions.

principles

of

Applied

communicate

and

The irrepressible Anna

Would you like more info?

Visit lfsva.org or call
1-800-359-3834.

Life in the LeVan household continues full tilt. LeVan laughs as she
says, It becomes your normal. With children you take joy in the
simple things, says LeVan. Every positive thing is such a victory.

Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAI D
Newport News, VA
Permit No. 100

2609 McVitty Road, Roanoke, VA 24018

promise, restored

ymissionmoments
Specialized counseling for adoptive families.

When adoptive families run into difficulties, they need knowledgeable

professionals who understand the unique nature and challenges of building a family through adoption. LFSVA is offering
adoption competent mental health services in Southwestern Virginia to help adoptive families cope with the trauma and
loss that can be part of adoption. This service is available at no
charge through a grant to LFSVA from the Center for Adoption
Support and Education. Email Emily Webb at ewebb@lfsva.org
or call her at (540) 774-7100, ext. 1015, for more information.

In-school program expands.

Lutheran Family Services

of Virginia has expanded an already successful Therapeutic

Day Treatment (TDT) program into seven Frederick County

Wish list
Bedford Cottages for Adults
with Disabilities:

another set of hands and ears to help children succeed,

y Patio furniture
y Front porch furniture
y Floor lamps
y Kitchen towels
y Potholders

and for students it means immediate feedback about the

y Washcloths

elementary schools. TDT is a blend of services that helps

children manage their behavior so they can take full
advantage of classroom learning. For teachers, it means

problem behavior, says Christina Coleman, the agencys

TDT program manager. Everybody benefits.
Our MissionWorks is published by LFSVA, 1.800.359.3834, lfsva.org.
Editor: Carole Todd, 434.981.9952, ctodd@lfsva.org.

For more information about donating

items to our group homes, please contact
emaghsoodi@lfsva.org or call 1.800.359.3834.